Solomons' Environment Ministry unfazed by live dolphin export to China

The Ministry of Environment in the Solomon Islands is not concerned about the export of 25 live dolphins from Honiara to China last week.

The Regional Director of Earth Island Institute, Lawrence Makili, says the export was illegal as the exporter lacks the relevant licences to catch and then export the mammals.

Rence Sore, the Permanent Secretary of the Environment Ministry, says questions regarding whether the exporter had the relevant permit is not of concern to the Environment Ministry, but rather falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Fisheries.

"Fifty live dolphin exports for 2011, that is the quota allowed by government policy. If the export is within that 50 quota, I have no problem if it is within the government policy."

In September, the Solomons' government passed a new policy to ban all dolphin exports from January next year.